JP agent helps top activists be heard

Jodi Solomon, a Jamaica Plain resident, runs an agency booking speaking engagements for a variety of personalities. But Solomon insists having clients who have an impact on the world, such as actor Sidney Poitier and women’s equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter.

Those clients include prominent JP residents.

“I’m selective with my clients, who offer hope, experience of change and themselves are change-makers,” said Solomon, who business is aptly named Jodi Solomon Speakers Bureau. Its office is located at 295 Huntington Ave.

She said she is “fairly political” and wants to work with people who are political aligned with her beliefs, as that makes it a joy to go to work everyday. When asked what that means, she replied she wants to have clients who believe in change and in creating dialogue.

“My hope is that we have a world that lives in peace and harmony,” said Solomon.

Some of Solomon notable clients include Ledbetter, whose failed U.S. Supreme Court case eventually led to equal-pay-for-women legislation, Academy Award-winning actor Poitier, the late historian Howard Zinn and late author John Updike. Solomon traveled with Ledbetter to the White House in March to celebrate Women’s History Month. She said that was an “extraordinary experience.”

Other clients include JPers Chuck Collins, author of “99 to 1: How Wealth Inequality is Wrecking the World and What We Can Do About It,” and Jessica Valenti, a feminist writer.

“I feel really lucky to have worked with such amazing people who continue to inspire, disseminate a message and to do good work,” said Solomon.

She said she got into the industry through an acquaintance after college and opened her own business 24 years ago. Solomon said the business is a two-way street, with people sometimes coming to her for speakers, and at other times, the reverse. She said one of the challenges of the industry is getting people who arrange events to be more concerned about the message people deliver instead of the celebrity status of the speaker.

Solomon said she always tries to stay up-to-date with what is trending in the news. She noted that when NBA player Jason Collins came out publicly as being gay, she received more inquires about her client Wade Davis, a gay former NFL player.

Solomon said going to an event with a speaker discussing a trending news story allows an attendee to collect information, ask questions and form real, lasting opinions about the subject.

For more information, visit jodisolomonspeakers.com or call 617-266-3450.

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